Psalm 15:5

Well, here we are at the end of Psalm 15 and there are some sweet ideas yet to discuss. I am particularly interested in the first thought in verse 5.

Psalm 15:5: Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend,
and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent,
such people will stand firm forever. (NLT)

My attention is drawn to the “interest” not being charged. As a banker I know the bank lived on the interest it collected from the loans that were made. Here David tells us that we are not to go into the relationship with the thought of collecting that interest. And to take it a step further in the New Testament at Luke 6:35-36: "Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned that they might not repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” (NLT) (emphasis mine).
So if I understand this it means not only cannot I charge interest, I can’t even expect repayment. This is a hard saying. However, I did this once with my own money and the borrower met my expectations, I didn’t get it back. I have never thought badly of the borrower but I remember the incident.
Part two is something with which I have no personal experience. Jesus was talking about money so I must draw the conclusion that the bribe would be cash or it’s equivalent. We are instructed to refuse such a bribe when it involves the innocent. However, I am of the mind to think it would be unfaithful and unthinkable to think of accepting a bribe and perhaps by your testimony convict someone you know to be innocent and subject them to punishment.
Now this is an illustration of the practice of reading a whole passage in context before trying to put any part of it into your life. If we take any single injunction from the Psalm and try to live it by itself we will have difficulties that will at the least be discouraging, and at best, only a partial fulfillment of your desire to conform to the life of Jesus.
Know all that is required before jumping in. Then take the parts and live them.